Associate National Project Officer for Education (Learning Assessment and Research) (Kabul, Afghanistan) contract Temporary

Post Number : 4AFED 0029TA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Temporary Appointment

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20-Dec-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 7-11 months with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Only nationals of Afghanistan can apply for this position.

Background and Context

Within the framework of the Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant (ESPIG) provided by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to UNICEF Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul is leading the learning assessment of Grade 3 students in Afghanistan.

Against this backdrop, the UNESCO Kabul Office seeks a highly skilled individual with a strong track record in managing research projects to support the Inclusion, Quality, and Research (IQR) team. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the implementation of the student learning assessment and driving research and knowledge-generation activities critical to enhancing the quality of education in Afghanistan. 

Main duties and responsibilities

• The incumbent will be under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Kabul, the overall supervision of the Head of the Education Unit, and the direct supervision of the Inclusion, Quality, and Research team lead. He or she will be working closely with the IQR team and firms and consultants contracted for the student learning assessment project. He or she will also have regular contacts with UNESCO colleagues across units and colleagues from other UN agencies.
• Assist in implementing IQR Team projects, focusing on research initiatives, including the Grade 3 student learning assessment and positive deviance studies.
• Support the IQR team in reviewing research proposals, designs, data collection tools, and raw data sets to ensure quality.
• Coordinate and communicate with implementation partners engaged in research projects by facilitating regular meetings, tracking implementation plans, identifying risks, and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Participate in consultative meetings with technical partners (e.g. UNESCO HQ, UNICEF, Ed-STWG) to ensure participatory project implementation.
• Support the development of presentations and knowledge products for research projects.
• Prepare timely and accurate project reports, ensuring compliance with donor and UNESCO standards.
• Provide inputs to project proposals, grant applications, and donor reports by leveraging data, insights, and lessons learned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, statistics, education, or a related field.

Work experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in research, learning assessment, and M&E, particularly in education sector programmes.
• Proven experience in designing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and implementing research projects.
• Proven experience in preparing/reviewing data collection tools, cleaning raw data sets, managing, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.

Skills and Competencies

• Good knowledge of research methods and strong analytical and research skills, including proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data;
• Good understanding of the education sector in Afghanistan;
• Strong communication skills and ability to function well in a multi-cultural team and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of partners;
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work; Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills;
• High level of personal and professional integrity;
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Dari and/or Pashto.

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience

• Experience working in Afghanistan or similar conflict-affected contexts in student learning assessment is highly desirable. Experience working with the UN or international organizations is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish). 

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 45,101 USD.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.